Pompey will be looking to build on Saturday's win over Blackpool with an improved performance and another victory when they take on Peterborough tomorrow night.
Team News
Bjorn-Helge Riise is set to make his debut in midfield and could replace Joel Ward despite his good performance on Saturday. However, there is a chance he could play at right back if Aaron Mokoena doesn't heal in time after limping off against Blackpool, although Ricardo Rocha is also pushing for a start.
Lee Tomlin is out for the Posh after suffering a knee injury at West Ham and Darren Ferguson is likely to rest centre back Gabriel Zakuani, who is currently playing with a foot injury.
The Match
After the euphoria of Erik Huseklepp's last-gasp stunner against Blackpool had faded on Saturday, the majority of Pompey fans accepted that it was far from a great performance against the Tangerines with fans feeling disgruntled and bored.
Despite those feelings, there were glimpses of inventive play and there was much less hoof ball. Perhaps this team just needs some time and we should be more patient? After all, it wasn't so long ago that us fans were treated to a fluent brand of attacking football under Harry Redknapp's management.
However, I'm sure I won't be alone in wanting to see the opposition goalkeeper tested more often. It wasn't until stoppage time when Pompey had their first meaningful attempt on target on Saturday and that has to improve.
Thankfully, Peterborough play in such a way that they will gift Pompey chances tomorrow and despite a lack of goals this season, it shouldn't be too difficult to score against a team who are likely to be without one of their key centre backs.
Darren Ferguson's men play in a 4-4-2 diamond formation and so there should be plenty of opportunity for Pompey's wide men to do some damage. If there was ever a time for Liam Lawrence to return to form, tomorrow's game would be it.
However, the Posh will create plenty of chances themselves and it will be interesting to see if Rocha plays in defence if Mokoena doesn't make it. A straight swap would be one option but the other would be to move Halford back into the centre with Pearce and play Ward at right back, with new boy Riise likely to make his debut in centre midfield.
Eyes will be cast on the Norwegian debutant but his countryman will also gain attention after his stoppage time strike as well as his overall performance on the day.
That goal was likened to Pedro Mendes' iconic screamer against Man City in 2006 which kick-started Pompey's recovery. Maybe Huseklepp's strike will do the same? We shall find out tomorrow...
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Pompey
GK: Jamie ASHDOWN
RB: Greg HALFORD
CB: Ricardo ROCHA
CB: Jason PEARCE
LB: Tal BEN-HAIM
CM: Hayden MULLINS
CM: Bjorn-Helge RIISE
CM: David NORRIS
RWF: Liam LAWRENCE
LWF: Erik HUSEKLEPP
CF: BENJANI
Peterborough
GK: Paul JONES
RB: Mark LITTLE
CB: Scott WOOTON
CB: Ryan BENNETT
LB: Craig ALCOCK
DM: Grant McCANN
CM: Lee FRECKLINGTON
CM: Tommy ROWE
AM: George BOYD
CF: Paul TAYLOR
CF: Emile SINCLAIR
Last Time: Portsmouth 2 Peterborough United 1 (League Cup First Round - 10/09/2002)
Posh arrived at Fratton Park bottom of the second division at the time but held their own until Nigel Quashie scored from three yards after Mark Burchill's header was saved by 'keeper Mark Tyler.
The underdogs were down to ten men when Sagi Burton was dismissed but they strove to get back into the game until their challenge was ended when Svetoslav Todorov set up Linvoy Primus for a rare goal.
Click here for the Fratton Faithful Peterborough United Championship Profile page.
My Prediction
The visitors play in a way where chances will come at both ends. I'm backing Pompey to take theirs and produce a solid defensive performance to keep Posh out.
Portsmouth 1 Peterborough United 0